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by Rhonda Rhea
We had five babies in seven years. I know some of you overachievers have had more. I’m deeply impressed by your fortitude. They really were the wonder years - mostly because I sometimes wonder how we did it. We were basically in survival mode.
There were around ten (count ‘em, TEN) straight years of diapers. There were also months when my husband couldn’t stand up in his pulpit without discovering (usually mid-sermon) that he was sporting some sort of crust, slime or other baby scum on his lapel. Interesting baby factoid: Neckties never recover from baby barf.
Getting ready for church was no small accomplishment. I always seemed to find a hole in the little ruffle-bottom tights and twelve shiny black shoes, but only two pairs. My husband was a big help - until he decided to add an 8:00a.m. service to the Sunday morning line-up. He says it was to extend the church’s ministry. That’s another thing I’ve wondered about those years. You don’t suppose he “extended his ministry” so he wouldn’t have to help me get all those kids ready, do you?
I moved alot of the readying to Saturday nights. In addition to the regular bath-time agenda, I added the clothes safari, some Saturday-night ironing and (this was a biggie) nail clipping. ONE HUNDRED LITTLE NAILS! No kidding - do the math. I still have nail flashbacks.
There were days I was too exhausted to appreciate the real wonder. Other days, I was overwhelmed by the blessing. So while I call some of them “flashbacks,” I call all of them cherished memories - because I cherish my children. Still, it’s all just a glimpse of our Father’s love for us.
1 John 3:1 says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” We can’t imagine a love bigger than the love we have for our babies. Yet God uses that very love to teach us about His love for us.
If you’ve given your life to Christ, you are God’s precious child. Isn’t that a wonder?! Living in His love is glorious--and it never stains!
~ Rhonda Rhea writes award-winning inspirational humor columns for other Christian publications in the U.S. and Canada. Look for her new book, Amusing Grace, at your local Christian bookstore. Click here to see her website.
